Everyone deserves to live in a safe, warm and secure home they can call their own. But this is not the reality for thousands of people across Sheffield and many more across the country.

That’s why, the Labour government has announced a £68 million fund to boost and unlock building of new homes on brownfield sites across the country and £690,000 has been allocated for Sheffield. 

The funding, part of the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund, will support local councils to transform disused land into much-needed new homes, helping to address the housing shortage while boosting local economies and creating jobs.

Brownfield sites, such as former industrial areas and vacant plots, often sit unused due to the high cost of making them ready for development. This funding will enable councils to clear derelict buildings, decontaminate land, and improve essential infrastructure such as internet, water, and power connections—unlocking the potential of these sites for housing development.

The investment in brownfield development is part of a broader effort by the Government to accelerate housebuilding across the country. This includes the introduction of “brownfield passports” to streamline the planning process and the establishment of a New Homes Accelerator group to support stalled developments.

This announcement comes soon after Sheffield Council’s announcement to build more than 1,000 new, much needed, council homes across the city as part of the city’s wider transformation. 

Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley said:

“There isn’t a week that goes by where I’m not contacted by residents who are struggling with their housing, either being forced to live in damp and moldy conditions or have been evicted from private rented accommodation, through no fault of their own. We have to take action and build the houses for the future. 

“I’m delighted that Sheffield will receive this much-needed funding to help deliver new homes on unused brownfield sites. This is an important step in addressing our city’s housing needs, ensuring that derelict land can be transformed into new homes, while creating jobs and improving infrastructure.

“We have sites across Sheffield that have sat vacant for years, and with this funding, we can finally start unlocking their potential. It’s vital that we invest in housing that is affordable and accessible, particularly for first-time buyers and young families who are struggling to get on the property ladder. 

“This funding will help deliver the homes our city desperately needs while ensuring that development is sustainable and focused on improving the quality of life for residents. It’s about building not just houses but thriving communities.”